Introduction of the term Rajput
Introduction of the term RajputThe Rajput word came from the root word Rajputra (son of King). This term is mentioned in ancient scriptures like Rig Veda, Ramayana and Mahabharata
The term Rajputra was reserved for immediate relatives of Kings or larger group of high ranking men
With the passage of time the term rajput came to denote a hereditary political status, gradually the term Rajput came to denote a social class when this class was formed by tribals and Shudras who became landed aristocrats and transformed into ruling class. These groups assumed the title rajputs as part of their claim to a higher social positions and ranks
The term Rajput emerged when different social groups of mediaeval India sought to legitimise their newly acquired political power by claiming Kshatriya status. All Kshatriyas are Rajputs but all Rajputs are not Kshatriya
Varna divided society
The Hindu society is divided into 4 varnas Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra
a.Brahmans were assigned duties of reading and teaching, taking and giving gifts, doing sacrifices and getting sacrifices done by others
b.Khastriyas were assigned duties to safeguard societies
c.Vaishyas were assigned duties to do trade and commerce and agricultural activities
d.Shudras were assigned duties to serve the three upper varnas
2.In addition to this varnas a new castes of untouchables originated on account of pratiloma vivah
Foreign origin
According to this theory after the collapse of Gupta empire, and the influx of Indo Greeks scythians , huns , Kushan into Indian society
These foreigners were assimilated into the Kshatriya category during the sixth and seventh century AD
The proponent of this theory was James Todd. the basis of this theory is that both Rajputs and Shakas and Hunas were far worshipers
Indigenous Theory
Nationalist historians like C V Vaidhya, asserted that Rajputs had originated from Kshatriyas of the epics of Ramayan, Mahabharat
A third theory was put forward by historian Jai Narayan Asopa that Rajputs were Brahmins
Agnikula Theory
According to this theory propounded by Chandrabardai, a sacrifice at Mount Abu was officiated by Saint Vashisht and out of this sacrifice, four warriors like Chauhans, Parmars, Challukyas/Solankis and Pratihara originated
Critics hold that these Agnikula theory was invented to conceal the foreign origin of Rajputs
Modern Theory
Recent research suggests that Rajputs came from a variety of ethnic and geographical backgrounds
Rajputs consisted of miscellaneous groups including Shudras and Tribals, for e.g. Chandellas of Bundelkhand were tribals, somewhere Brahmins were taken to warfare. For eg- ancestors of Maharana Pratap, Bappa Rawal was a Brahmin who took to arms to defend the country
Similarly, ancestors of Maharaja Jaswant Singh of Jodhpur were Tribals
According to B D Chattopadhyaya the early mediaeval rajputs clan achieved political eminence gradually. Entry to rajput folds was possible through the acquisition of political powers and this was legitimised by claiming linkages of Kshatriyas with mythical past. The process of origin of rajputs may be seen in terms and transition from tribalism
Conclusion
1.To conclude, the present day Rajputs originated from different sources some are descended of lord Rama, some are descended of lord Krishna, some of the Rajputs came from tribal and Shudra community through the process of Sanskritization
2.Rajput formation continued in the colonial era anyone from the village landlord to newly wealthy lower caste Shudra could employe Brahmins to retrospectively fabricate a genealogy and within a couple of generation they would gain acceptance as Hindu Rajputs
3.During mediaeval period, a tribal family could become Rajput if they are married to Higher Varna like Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya and if they are employed in the state army.
4.Through the Hypergamous marriage of a low varna groom with high varna bride gave birth to Rajput caste if the groom is employed in the Sultanate or Mughal army
5.Since , 11th to 16th century Rajputs class absorb people from a wide range of lineage but by 16th century when the Mughal empire consolidated and when Rajputs chiefs became Mughal feudatories, they no longer engage in major conflicts with each other. This decreased the possibility of achieving prestige through military action and made hereditary descent more important
From the 16th century onwards different Rajputs rulers sought to legitimise their socio-political status on the basis of descent and kinship. Brahmin priests fabricated genealogies linking Rajput families with Kshatriya status
The Hindu society is divided into 4 varnas Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra
a.Brahmans were assigned duties of reading and teaching, taking and giving gifts, doing sacrifices and getting sacrifices done by others
b.Khastriyas were assigned duties to safeguard societies
c.Vaishyas were assigned duties to do trade and commerce and agricultural activities
d.Shudras were assigned duties to serve the three upper varnas
2.In addition to this varnas a new castes of untouchables originated on account of pratiloma vivah
Foreign origin
According to this theory after the collapse of Gupta empire, and the influx of Indo Greeks scythians , huns , Kushan into Indian society
These foreigners were assimilated into the Kshatriya category during the sixth and seventh century AD
The proponent of this theory was James Todd. the basis of this theory is that both Rajputs and Shakas and Hunas were far worshipers
Indigenous Theory
Nationalist historians like C V Vaidhya, asserted that Rajputs had originated from Kshatriyas of the epics of Ramayan, Mahabharat
A third theory was put forward by historian Jai Narayan Asopa that Rajputs were Brahmins
Agnikula Theory
According to this theory propounded by Chandrabardai, a sacrifice at Mount Abu was officiated by Saint Vashisht and out of this sacrifice, four warriors like Chauhans, Parmars, Challukyas/Solankis and Pratihara originated
Critics hold that these Agnikula theory was invented to conceal the foreign origin of Rajputs
Modern Theory
Recent research suggests that Rajputs came from a variety of ethnic and geographical backgrounds
Rajputs consisted of miscellaneous groups including Shudras and Tribals, for e.g. Chandellas of Bundelkhand were tribals, somewhere Brahmins were taken to warfare. For eg- ancestors of Maharana Pratap, Bappa Rawal was a Brahmin who took to arms to defend the country
Similarly, ancestors of Maharaja Jaswant Singh of Jodhpur were Tribals
According to B D Chattopadhyaya the early mediaeval rajputs clan achieved political eminence gradually. Entry to rajput folds was possible through the acquisition of political powers and this was legitimised by claiming linkages of Kshatriyas with mythical past. The process of origin of rajputs may be seen in terms and transition from tribalism
Conclusion
1.To conclude, the present day Rajputs originated from different sources some are descended of lord Rama, some are descended of lord Krishna, some of the Rajputs came from tribal and Shudra community through the process of Sanskritization
2.Rajput formation continued in the colonial era anyone from the village landlord to newly wealthy lower caste Shudra could employe Brahmins to retrospectively fabricate a genealogy and within a couple of generation they would gain acceptance as Hindu Rajputs
3.During mediaeval period, a tribal family could become Rajput if they are married to Higher Varna like Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya and if they are employed in the state army.
4.Through the Hypergamous marriage of a low varna groom with high varna bride gave birth to Rajput caste if the groom is employed in the Sultanate or Mughal army
5.Since , 11th to 16th century Rajputs class absorb people from a wide range of lineage but by 16th century when the Mughal empire consolidated and when Rajputs chiefs became Mughal feudatories, they no longer engage in major conflicts with each other. This decreased the possibility of achieving prestige through military action and made hereditary descent more important
From the 16th century onwards different Rajputs rulers sought to legitimise their socio-political status on the basis of descent and kinship. Brahmin priests fabricated genealogies linking Rajput families with Kshatriya status
Nationalist historians like C V Vaidhya, asserted that Rajputs had originated from Kshatriyas of the epics of Ramayan, Mahabharat
A third theory was put forward by historian Jai Narayan Asopa that Rajputs were Brahmins
Agnikula Theory
According to this theory propounded by Chandrabardai, a sacrifice at Mount Abu was officiated by Saint Vashisht and out of this sacrifice, four warriors like Chauhans, Parmars, Challukyas/Solankis and Pratihara originated
Critics hold that these Agnikula theory was invented to conceal the foreign origin of Rajputs
Modern Theory
Recent research suggests that Rajputs came from a variety of ethnic and geographical backgrounds
Rajputs consisted of miscellaneous groups including Shudras and Tribals, for e.g. Chandellas of Bundelkhand were tribals, somewhere Brahmins were taken to warfare. For eg- ancestors of Maharana Pratap, Bappa Rawal was a Brahmin who took to arms to defend the country
Similarly, ancestors of Maharaja Jaswant Singh of Jodhpur were Tribals
According to B D Chattopadhyaya the early mediaeval rajputs clan achieved political eminence gradually. Entry to rajput folds was possible through the acquisition of political powers and this was legitimised by claiming linkages of Kshatriyas with mythical past. The process of origin of rajputs may be seen in terms and transition from tribalism
Conclusion
1.To conclude, the present day Rajputs originated from different sources some are descended of lord Rama, some are descended of lord Krishna, some of the Rajputs came from tribal and Shudra community through the process of Sanskritization
2.Rajput formation continued in the colonial era anyone from the village landlord to newly wealthy lower caste Shudra could employe Brahmins to retrospectively fabricate a genealogy and within a couple of generation they would gain acceptance as Hindu Rajputs
3.During mediaeval period, a tribal family could become Rajput if they are married to Higher Varna like Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya and if they are employed in the state army.
4.Through the Hypergamous marriage of a low varna groom with high varna bride gave birth to Rajput caste if the groom is employed in the Sultanate or Mughal army
5.Since , 11th to 16th century Rajputs class absorb people from a wide range of lineage but by 16th century when the Mughal empire consolidated and when Rajputs chiefs became Mughal feudatories, they no longer engage in major conflicts with each other. This decreased the possibility of achieving prestige through military action and made hereditary descent more important
From the 16th century onwards different Rajputs rulers sought to legitimise their socio-political status on the basis of descent and kinship. Brahmin priests fabricated genealogies linking Rajput families with Kshatriya status
Recent research suggests that Rajputs came from a variety of ethnic and geographical backgrounds
Rajputs consisted of miscellaneous groups including Shudras and Tribals, for e.g. Chandellas of Bundelkhand were tribals, somewhere Brahmins were taken to warfare. For eg- ancestors of Maharana Pratap, Bappa Rawal was a Brahmin who took to arms to defend the country
Similarly, ancestors of Maharaja Jaswant Singh of Jodhpur were Tribals
According to B D Chattopadhyaya the early mediaeval rajputs clan achieved political eminence gradually. Entry to rajput folds was possible through the acquisition of political powers and this was legitimised by claiming linkages of Kshatriyas with mythical past. The process of origin of rajputs may be seen in terms and transition from tribalism
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